Understanding how some cancer cells survive treatment in blood cancers

Mechanisms of natural killer cell resistance of treatment-persistent residual tumor cells in hematologic malignancies

NIH-funded research Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11003354

This study is looking into why some cancer cells in blood cancers, like acute myeloid leukemia, stick around even after treatment, which can cause patients to relapse, and it aims to find new ways to target these stubborn cells by understanding how they interact with the immune system.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11003354 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates why certain cancer cells in blood cancers, like acute myeloid leukemia, continue to survive despite treatment. It focuses on treatment-persistent residual disease (TPRD), which can lead to relapses in patients. By studying the biology of these resistant cells and their interactions with natural killer (NK) cells, the research aims to uncover new therapeutic vulnerabilities. The approach includes advanced techniques like CRISPR to identify factors that help these cells evade immune responses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia or other hematologic malignancies who have persistent residual disease after treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who have not been diagnosed with blood cancers or those who have no residual disease after treatment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively eliminate resistant cancer cells, reducing the risk of relapse for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in understanding cancer cell resistance mechanisms, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer therapyblood cancerCancer Burdencancer cellcancer of blood
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.